Policy Director

Description

About us:
The Office of the State Treasurer (OST) is the financial hub for Washington State government, serving as its bank and trusted fiscal steward. We provide banking, investment, debt issuance, and accounting services to state agencies, while also partnering with local governments to deliver essential financial solutions. Our team of about 70 dedicated professionals works every day to strengthen public trust through responsible financial management, exceptional customer service, and a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

Opportunity:
Work directly with the Treasurer and OST leadership to build a top tier state policy program focused on our state’s finances and economy, and on lowering the cost of living for working families and retirees. This includes advancing innovative, forward-thinking initiatives that boost rural and urban economies, promote sound fiscal practices to maintain our State’s financial strength, tackle systemic economic inequality, and empower the next generation to navigate an increasingly complicated financial landscape.

Successful candidates will be self-starters, motivated, creative, hardworking, and have a proven track record of working collaboratively to tackle complex policy issues. Our office touches a broad range of policy topics, from generational wealth inequality to corporate governance and transparency, affordable housing to retirement savings. This position will interface with governmental and organizational policy counterparts across Washington state; other State Treasurers' offices, nationally; our federal congressional delegation; and local and national stakeholders. The Treasurer also serves on a range of state boards and commissions, creating additional policy analysis opportunities. The Policy Director will be tasked with identifying opportunities to develop and advance policy proposals through both the legislative arena and these boards and commissions. Experience with navigating, analyzing, and explaining state budgets is preferred.

As a Policy Director, you will collaboratively contribute to the work of the OST team that spans legislative, policy, communications, and external affairs. This is an opportunity to work on challenging and innovative policy with a team of supportive colleagues.

Duties

You will be responsible for developing and leading a policy program to advance OST policy initiatives and goals. Your colleagues will entrust you to:

• Conduct high level policy research and analysis. Research may include but is not limited to the review of existing laws and literature, and consulting with experts.
• Assist in tracking legislation and providing insights and analysis to the Treasurer, Legislative Director, and team.
• Represent OST in some state and national financial officer professional organizations’ meetings and conferences, including the National Association of State Treasurers, and brief the Treasurer and Chief of Staff.
• Work with internal and external partners, including other governmental agencies, to facilitate meetings and research studies to achieve policy goals and objectives.
• Monitor and analyze the Washington State Capital, Transportation, and Operating budgets and assess alignment with agency budget recommendations.
• Draft legislation, amendments, reports, and briefings.
• Monitor state and national publications for new policy innovations and brief the Treasurer and Chief of Staff on viability of those concepts as applied in Washington state.
• Manage a variety of projects from inception to completion, including scope and schedule development, stakeholder engagement, and determining implementation priorities with partners.
• Incorporate policy feedback from external organizations and stakeholders into policy development.
• Provide policy support to the Treasurer, Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and other key agency leaders.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in public policy, political science, law, public administration, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and significant professional experience in policy, government, or legal
• Excellent research, writing, oral presentation, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of the law-making process, program administration, and policy development process
• Knowledge of and direct experience in navigating and analyzing state budgets
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams
• Knowledge of fiscal or economic policy

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience conducting research, preparing policy briefs, public presentations, and high-level reports for audiences from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Proven ability to take action to meet the needs of others by centering relationships, responding with empathy, and aligning resources to support success and equity

Throughout our selection processes, we will also evaluate candidates for knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors and capacity for effective leadership that aligns with our agency culture.

Supplemental Information

How to apply:
In addition to completing the online profile at careers.wa.gov, applicants must attach to their profile a current resume and a letter of interest aligning your interest and experience to applicable qualifications.

A background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the candidates' suitability and competence to perform in the position.

This announcement will remain open until it is filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Candidates are encouraged to come forward as early as possible as the OST reserves the right to make an appointment at any time during this employment announcement.

Benefits:
Washington State offers a competitive benefits package. Beyond the traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance and retirement benefits, we offer flex spending accounts, dependent care assistance, deferred compensation, 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and sick leave. Click on the “Benefits” tab near the top of the page to learn more.

Our hybrid schedule approach gives you the best of both worlds: remote work with regular in-person collaboration. Employees come onsite at least twice a month, with a little extra time spent in the office when you start to help you settle in. After that, schedules are tailored to fit the role, work styles, and position requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC):
OST is an equal opportunity employer; committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. OST provides equal access and opportunity to anyone who qualifies regardless of immigration status, on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 and older), disability, genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history) retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding.

Recruitment access, assistance and contact information:
For questions about this recruitment or for applicants in need of assistance during the application process, please contact Nadine Sordahl at (360) 902-8919 or via email to nadine.sordahl@tre.wa.gov. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.